"I subscribe to well over a dozen trade publications...I don't get as much out of all of them as I do from Giftbeat."William Sutton The Village ShoppesNew Carlisle, Indiana

“I paid for my house with Beanie
Babies.”

“Crocs and Webkinz paid
for my current building.”

“I could’ve put my kid through college
with Silly Bandz.”

As a gift shop owner, there’s nothing
better than riding a hot trend all the way to
the bank. And these are just a few of the hot
items Giftbeat reader have jumped on
over the years to make money and give their
customers the gifts they want to purchase.

Sure, these trends seem like a
no-brainer now, but back then when they were
new, it was a tough call. Many retailers missed
out or came in too late.

That’s because if you’re an independent
retailer, finding that new trend can be
difficult and costly. One wrong decision and
you’re stuck with inventory that can’t move.

TRENDING
NOW:Practicality makes its mark across multiple charts this month, as 35% of retailers report that Functional Gifts are up, from tea towels to tumblers.

* Every month Giftbeat
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